Thomas Ralston Baker

 Lenoir, NC- Mr. Thomas Ralston Baker, Sr., age 85, of Lenoir, died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Mr. Baker was born in Caldwell County on March 31, 1924 to the late Robert Lee Baker and Jessie McCall Baker. Mr. Baker was a veteran of the Merchant Marines during World War II and was a supervisor in the finishing and repair department at Kohler & Campbell Piano Company. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Whitnel. He loved his hobbies of fishing, wood crafts, and decoupage. He loved visiting the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras and being near the ocean. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Nadine Pritchard and Sybil Suddreth; one brother, Harold ?Mutt? Baker. He is survived by his wife, Elda Johnson Baker of the home; one son, Thomas Baker, Jr. of Lenoir; one daughter and son-in-law, Candace Baker Poarch and husband, Donald Warren Poarch of Lenoir; two sisters, Daphne Triplett of Lenoir and Iona Baldwin of Sawmills; one brother, John Baker of Northern California; six grandchildren, Debra Hadley, Christa Hall, Darren Poarch, Carrie Baker, Andrew Baker, and Caroline Baker; he is also survived by eight great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. A celebration of life for Mr. Baker will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Central Baptist Church in Whitnel at 2:00 PM. Officiating will be Reverend John Jernigan. Interment will take place following the service at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences can be sent to the Baker family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Baker family. PDF Printable Version